CO WEXFORD priest was with 66 counts of sexual yesterday. An extra 44 were added to the existing 22 the curate already faced when he appeared before Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla at Wexford District Court.
The 42 year old priest, who cannot be named, yesterday faced one charge of buggery, 19 charges of indecent assault, 23 charges of gross indecency, and a charge of inciting a male to commit an act of gross indecency contrary to common law.
The alleged incidents took place between September 1st, 1981, and August 31st, 1986.
He was charged under Section 61 and 62 of the Offences Against the Persons Act, 1861, and Section II of the Criminal Law amendment Act, 1885.
The curate had previously appeared on 22 charges of gross indecency and indecent assault on six youths between the ages of 12 and 16 years over a six year period in the 1980s.
He appeared in court yesterday dressed in clerical garb.
Det Garda Pat Mulcahy told the court he had arrested the defendant yesterday morning and when he put the new charges to him, the priest replied "Not guilty".
Mr Jack McEvoy, for the State, said the book of evidence would be served next week.
Mr Bob Eagar, defending, pointed out that under the relevant Acts, no names or photographs can be published of people involved in the case.
The case was further adjourned until March 6th.